Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III appeals to the Supreme Court (SC) to look into the increasing incidence of judges inhibiting from cases which, he said, is becoming a phenomenon, during the plenary deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Judiciary Monday, November 13, 2023. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB/File

MANILA -- For Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, a new law is needed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can implement internet voting for overseas Filipinos.

In a hearing of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation on Tuesday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said online voting will be done in 75 countries for the midterm elections next year. But, voters need to re-register.

“Ang worry ko it needs positive act from already registered voter,” Pimentel said. “Baka yung one million (overseas voters) natin, Mr. Chairman, baka bumaba pa.”

“We need a law to authorize this,” he added.

Senator Imee Marcos, Chair of the Committee, agreed.

According to Garcia, there are 17 countries that do not allow internet voting including Russia, China, and Israel. Filipinos can go to embassies there to vote.

The second round of bidding for the project is set on April 2.

READ: Comelec declares failure of bidding for online voting